Understanding menopause
MENOPAUSE, A GRADUAL HORMONAL UPHEAVAL
The hormonal upheaval that leads to menopause does not happen overnight, but according to a mechanism that lasts several years, and which begins with a pre-menopausal phase, around the age of 40.
During this pre-menopausal phase, there is a decrease in estrogen production by the ovaries. Menstrual cycles will become irregular, either longer or shorter.
The period corresponding to a cessation of menstruation for 12 months is called perimenopause. Then, at the end of these 12 months, it is referred to as menopause.
When menopause occurs before the age of 40, it is then considered early menopause.
From a physiological point of view, menopause is characterized by an absence of egg release from the ovaries and a marked reduction in the synthesis of the two hormones that symbolize femininity: estrogen and progesterone.
MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS
Signs appear as early as pre-menopause, sometimes called “climacteric syndrome”.
Besides the dreaded hot flashes, menopausal symptoms can include weight gain, breast pain, vaginal dryness, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, venous or lymphatic problems, and hair and nail disorders (brittle nails, hair loss)...
In the longer term, some women may be prone to bone loss and/or heart problems.
But the disorders that concern us more specifically are skin disorders.
The effects of menopause on the skin
LOSS OF HYDRATION AND SKIN SAGGING
What are the main culprits behind accelerated skin aging during menopause? Why do we see dehydration and sagging skin?
The female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are the main players in skin aging.
Estrogens, in particular, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins responsible for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. Estrogens also boost the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. As for progesterone, it influences sebum production, helps retain water in the skin, and thus promotes radiance and elasticity.
When estrogen and progesterone levels are balanced, the skin is perfectly hydrated, resulting in a fresh, radiant complexion. But when their levels drop, such as during menopause, the skin becomes thinner, drier, and loses firmness… and wrinkles appear.
Pigmentation spots can also form during this period of life.
SKIN PROBLEMS RELATED TO MENOPAUSE
Some women may, in addition to dry skin and loss of firmness, be subject to other undesirable symptoms.
Thus, to compensate for the hormonal imbalance linked to the drop in estrogen and progesterone, the body increases the production of cortisol, known as the stress hormone, which also has the effect of boosting sebum production. This leads to problems such as clogged pores, the appearance of blackheads and/or acne breakouts (on the face and body). This is a form of hormonal acne.
Similarly, due to the drop in female hormones, male hormones such as androgens are overrepresented, which can result in the appearance of impurities on the skin.
Furthermore, although not necessarily related to menopause, some women may experience couperose or rosacea from the age of 45.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the small blood vessels of the face. It is caused by hyperreactivity of the blood vessels or genetic predispositions.
Rosacea acne tends to affect women with fair skin. It initially manifests as redness, which may be followed by erythema and pimples.
For women experiencing skin problems during menopause, there are external and internal solutions that can help them get through this period peacefully.
Taking care of mature skin
A BEAUTY ROUTINE SUITED FOR MATURE SKIN
Products to include in your routine:
It is important to take preventative action and choose products and active ingredients that will hydrate the skin, restore its firmness, and improve microcirculation, while respecting the hydrolipidic film, one of whose roles is to protect us from external aggressions.
The first essential step: effective yet gentle cleansing! For this, we recommend our cleansing oil at Laboté, based on green tea and camellia oil, and incorporating either Damask rose petals for their regenerating and toning effect, or cornflower petals for more sensitive skin.
To hydrate and nourish the skin, it is advisable to apply a day cream and a night cream. Furthermore, to increase skin nourishment and enhance the effects of the active ingredients, it is recommended to complement the day cream with a serum, which should be applied beforehand.
Assets to prioritize:
Among the active ingredients recommended to rebalance mature skin, at Laboté we advise in our protocols:
- Aloe vera for its moisturizing properties
- Centella asiatica, which will boost collagen synthesis
- Bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol, has an anti-aging effect.
- Ginkgo biloba, for its antioxidant and vein-toning action
To complement your daily skincare routine, masks can be applied once a week. At Laboté, we recommend the moisturizing mask with white clay and hyaluronic acid or the radiance mask with red clay and bromelain.
OUR NATURO BEAUTY TIPS
The external factors primarily responsible for premature skin aging are numerous: sun, tobacco, alcohol, pollution, inadequate diet, lack of sleep, stress, lack of physical activity…
It is therefore recommended to act on these external factors as early as possible, to preserve a radiant complexion as well as firm and hydrated skin.
Furthermore, it is essential to hydrate internally by drinking 1.5 liters of water or herbal teas every day.
It is also very important to pay attention to the quality of your diet by avoiding pro-inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy products, refined sugars, and red meat. You should prioritize an anti-inflammatory diet: plenty of high-quality organic fruits and vegetables, good-quality fats with omega-3 fatty acids from small oily fish (sardines, mackerel, herring) or ground flax seeds.
Menopausal symptoms can also be alleviated with herbal medicine. Many plants act with a "hormone-like" effect, thus stimulating the affected organs to produce the hormones essential to the body.
